James vs Jesse

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

James

Boy #5 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"supplanter, one who follows at the heel"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Scottish Biblical

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5
Total SSA Count
11,793
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Jim, Jimmy, Jamie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for James →

Jesse

Boy #187 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"wealthy"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Hebrew English Christian American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#187
Total SSA Count
1,980
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Jess

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Jesse →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Jesse Rank #187

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #187 for Jesse.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

James ___

  • James Alexander
  • James William
  • James Thomas
  • James Edward
  • James Henry
  • James Patrick

Jesse ___

  • Jesse James
  • Jesse Lee
  • Jesse Cole
  • Jesse Ray
  • Jesse Wayne
  • Jesse Alan

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Jesse

Dylan Carter Sadie Wyatt Emma

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is James or Jesse more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Jesse at #187 in the United States.

What do James and Jesse mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Jesse means "wealthy" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Jesse boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Jesse is primarily a boy name.

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